Portimonense backroom staff have already been busy building a team capable of surviving next season’s challenges in the top division. First to sign a one-year contract has been Brazilian Leiria midfielder Elias who should be followed south by Portuguese U-21 internationals Pedro Moreira, André Pinto and keeper Ventura on loan from Porto. Similar cost-saving agreements are close to reaching a conclusion with Sporting, with regards to prolonging Wilson Eduardo’s stay in Portimão and adding Lisbon team mate Mexer to the squad. The club will hold its training camp in Celorico da Beira from July 6 to 14 before embarking on its Liga Sagres adventure exactly a month later. Fans in the east and the west of the region will be pleased that a Portuguese FA rule states that two neighbouring teams will not both play at home on any given match day guaranteeing first class action in the Algarve week in and week out.
Wheeling and dealing
